The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) in collaboration with three nongovernmental organizations has concluded a 16-week STEM training on robotics for selected secondary schools across four states in the Niger Delta region.
The training was aimed at encouraging students to explore concepts in physics, mathematics, and computer science in a more practical and engaging way.
At the grand finale held last weekend in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State, Ozolua Grammar School, Ologbo, Edo State, emerged as the overall winner of the programme. Iwere Secondary School, Koko in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State took second place, while Nana Model College, Warri in Warri South Local Government Area finished in third position.
The programme, themed “Robotics for a Sustainable and Inclusive Skilled Economy,” was sponsored by NCDMB in partnership with Contego Servo, Odyssey Educational Foundation, and Phoenixgirls Tech Foundation.
Participating schools included Community Secondary School, Kalio-Ama Okrika, and Community Secondary School, Rumuoro Ogbakiri Emuoha in Rivers State; Ozolua Grammar School, Ologbo, and Ajoki Secondary School, Ajoki, both in Edo State; Okotie Eboh Grammar School, Sapele, Iwere College, Koko, and Nana Model College, Warri in Delta State. From Bayelsa State, CSS Okutukutu/Etegwe and Epie National High School, Kpansia, were part of the training.
Speaking at the grand finale, Mr. Weyinmi Ebiyon, an official of NCDMB, explained that the training was initiated to boost the quality of education in Nigeria. “On behalf of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board I thank the board that has put this together. Let’s us put into use the knowledge acquired from here,” he said.
Delta State Commissioner for Secondary Schools, Mrs. Rose Ezewu, also praised the initiative and promised government support. “We commend NCDMB and the consultants for this training. The state government will key into the programme to elevate the knowledge of students in STEM robotic education,” she stated.
Chief Executive Officer of Phoenixgirls Tech Foundation and consultant to NCDMB, Dr. Elizabeth Jumoke Eterigho, described the four-month programme as transformative for the students and teachers. She said, “Robotics is more than just a tool for learning; it is a gateway to understanding the world around us. Through robotics, students can explore complex concepts in physics, mathematics, and computer science in a tangible and engaging manner.”
She explained that robotics education encourages creativity and innovation. “Over the past four months, we have embarked on an inspiring journey of discovery, innovation, and empowerment. Teachers and students from various secondary schools have come together not only to learn the fundamentals of robotics, programming, and applied STEM, but also to envision a future where knowledge translates into skills, and skills translate into solutions,” she said.
Dr. Eterigho further highlighted the impact of the programme on inclusivity and workforce readiness. “The projects and prototypes they will showcase today are not just exercises in robotics; they are expressions of creativity, teamwork, and determination that reflect the power of STEM education in shaping lives and societies. The programme has shown that when given the opportunity, our young people can dream, design, and deliver solutions that matter. It’s been about inclusivity. We have witnessed how both boys and girls can thrive equally when given the right opportunities, and how teachers can be transformed into facilitators of innovation rather than mere transmitters of knowledge.”
She added that the training demonstrated the role of robotics and STEM education in building an economy that values skills and sustainability. “Together, we are laying the foundation for an economy that values skills, sustainability, and inclusiveness. This is what the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board has done, the sole sponsor of this programme,” she said.
Commending the students, teachers, and partners, Dr. Eterigho described them as the true drivers of change. “As we close this phase of learning, let us open a new chapter of application. Let us go back to our schools, our classrooms, and our communities with the conviction that STEM is not just a subject — it is a tool for solving real problems and building a sustainable future,” she said.
The closing ceremony also featured an exhibition of student-led innovations, including fire alarms, a firefighting machine, and a smart traffic light system designed to protect traffic officers and reduce road congestion. These projects were showcased as practical examples of how STEM and robotics education can provide real-world solutions.
The NCDMB emphasized that the programme was part of its broader efforts to strengthen local capacity in technology and encourage Nigerian students to acquire future-ready skills. The collaboration with Contego Servo, Odyssey Educational Foundation, and Phoenixgirls Tech Foundation, according to officials, was also a way of ensuring long-term partnerships that could expand STEM learning opportunities in the country.
The training initiative also attracted attention for its emphasis on inclusivity, ensuring that both boys and girls participated equally and had opportunities to showcase their talents. Officials at the event said the success of the programme demonstrated the importance of investing in STEM fields, particularly robotics, to create opportunities for young people in the Niger Delta and beyond.
The 16-week training is expected to serve as a model for future educational projects focused on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and stakeholders expressed optimism that the knowledge gained by the students would contribute to the development of Nigeria’s skilled workforce.